The challenges of land use change
"I just scratch my head in wonderment when people say to farmers, 'just change what you farm'."
We must stop thinking about agriculture in the traditional sense, says Massey University vice-chancellor Jan Thomas.
She told Rural News that she would like to think of graduates of many other colleges at Massey – besides agriculture and veterinary – moving into jobs relating to the wider primary sector.
In the past year, Thomas has developed a new strategic plan for the university that will better align its courses with industry needs and ensure its teaching methods meet the needs of the digital age. Changes have included separating out the veterinary school as a stand-alone college and bringing other aspects of agriculture into one large college.
Thomas says it is now important to see agriculture through a different lens and be aware of the digital era, with innovations such as remote sensing playing an increasing role.
Graduates in agriculture must have a wide range of skills that prepare them for their future roles, she says. Students need to spend time with industry as part of their degree course and understand and be able to work in the rapidly rising Maori economy.
“I want all our graduates – pakeha, international or whatever – to be able to work effectively in the Maori economy in a way that is respectful and that recognises the culture. To be a successful New Zealander you need to be successful in that space,” she says.
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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